Fairhope, Alabama
Update (2): As of July 17, the city's website lists the following commission members:
CORRECTION: A previous version of this post stated that Catherine Hall Kiser was a member of the planning commission: she is not -- Rebecca Bryant, another local architect was appointed beginning in May. The Times apologizes for our mistake.
Updated: During the July 3rd Planning Commission meeting, the 'Park Place PUD' on N. Greeno Road was recommended to the city council for approval -- but the Edwards Avenue intersection rezoning to B-1 was not.
MORE GREENO ROAD COMMERCIAL ZONING REQUESTS
Additional requests to rezone residential property on Greeno Rd. are scheduled to be heard by the city's Planning and Zoning Commission Monday, the majority now appointees of mayor Wilson.
Members Charles Johnson, Ralph Thayer, Richard Peterson (employee rep.), Rebecca Bryant*, and David Martin were appointed by Wilson; Lee Turner, George Roberbs and Hollie MacKellar by former mayor Kant. (*Bryant was appointed in May but we do not know if she is still on the commission)
Jimmy Conyers is the city council's current representative.
S.E. Civil Engineering is presenting the requests on behalf of the property owners.
(The city council must give final approval to any zoning changes approved by the commission.)
ANOTHER 'PUD' PROPOSED
The first is a request to rezone two parcels across from Volanta Park (one now zoned R-4 and occupied by a trailer park; the other is R-1 with a single family residence on it) to a planned unit development (PUD) to be called 'Park Place.'
Owners of the trailer park and adjacent parcel have come before the commission "informally" several times over the years requesting commercial zoning; but have always been told to bring back more specific plans for the commission to evaluate (ie. for a PUD).
Last year, another owner to the north set a precedent when the 'Hayek PUD' was approved (click) by the commission and then the city council by a 3-0 vote: a mix of residential and commercial uses were approved there.
At that time council president Burrell referred the the road as a "commercial corridor."
From the city's zoning ordinance:
This property drains into the Fly Creek drainage basin.
.
NEW EDWARDS AVENUE 'SHOPPING DISTRICT' SOUGHT TOO
Owners of the residentially-zoned lot at the northwest corner of the Edwards Avenue intersection are seeking rezoning to B-1, a local neighborhood shopping district.
Some permitted B-1 uses would include: limited retail (grocery and general merchandise), personal services (dry cleaner/laundry), restaurants if ok'd by the Board of Adjustments.
If approved, that could set a precedent for similar requests all along the highway to the north.
BOTH EXCEPTIONS TO COMPREHENSIVE GROWTH PLAN
Beginning in about 2001, the city's 'village model' comprehensive growth plan keeps north Greeno as residential zoning, reflecting citizens' concerns that the city's main entrance road not be commercialized and turned into another 'Airport Blvd.' (like in Mobile) or 'Hamburger Hill.' (US 98 in north Daphne).
Numerous exceptions have been granted over the years however: commercial development has gradually crept northward (and southward) along the highway..
Comprehensive plans are required by state law, but are not binding in and of themselves: only gives guidance to the city's governing bodies.
Both sites are already being advertised for sale: the trailer park by the Fairhope Realty Group and the Edwards Avenue by White Spunner -- which is also advertising the previously-approved 'Hayek PUD.'
(One planning commissioner, Hollie MacKellar, is a former agent for the FRG, now with Jason Will.)
All deliberations of a quorum of the Planning Commission must be held in public, to conform with state open meeting law.
Update (2): As of July 17, the city's website lists the following commission members:
- Lee Turner - Chairman
- Rebecca Bryant
- Charles Johnson
- Dr. Ralph Thayer
- Richard Peterson, P.E.
- Hollie MacKellar
- David Martin
- Jimmy Conyers, City Council Liaison
CORRECTION: A previous version of this post stated that Catherine Hall Kiser was a member of the planning commission: she is not -- Rebecca Bryant, another local architect was appointed beginning in May. The Times apologizes for our mistake.
Updated: During the July 3rd Planning Commission meeting, the 'Park Place PUD' on N. Greeno Road was recommended to the city council for approval -- but the Edwards Avenue intersection rezoning to B-1 was not.
 |
| New Greeno Road development proposed |
MORE GREENO ROAD COMMERCIAL ZONING REQUESTS
Additional requests to rezone residential property on Greeno Rd. are scheduled to be heard by the city's Planning and Zoning Commission Monday, the majority now appointees of mayor Wilson.
Members Charles Johnson, Ralph Thayer, Richard Peterson (employee rep.), Rebecca Bryant*, and David Martin were appointed by Wilson; Lee Turner, George Roberbs and Hollie MacKellar by former mayor Kant. (*Bryant was appointed in May but we do not know if she is still on the commission)
Jimmy Conyers is the city council's current representative.
S.E. Civil Engineering is presenting the requests on behalf of the property owners.
(The city council must give final approval to any zoning changes approved by the commission.)
ANOTHER 'PUD' PROPOSED
 |
| North Greeno road |
Owners of the trailer park and adjacent parcel have come before the commission "informally" several times over the years requesting commercial zoning; but have always been told to bring back more specific plans for the commission to evaluate (ie. for a PUD).
Last year, another owner to the north set a precedent when the 'Hayek PUD' was approved (click) by the commission and then the city council by a 3-0 vote: a mix of residential and commercial uses were approved there.
At that time council president Burrell referred the the road as a "commercial corridor."
From the city's zoning ordinance:
-
PUD Planned Unit Development: This district is intended to encourage innovative development that meets
comprehensive plan goals and is tailored to the unique constraints and conditions of a particular site. This
district allows flexibility in uses, designs, and building layouts as opposed to other zoning districts to better
serve community needs. See Article V., Section A for more detailed standards regarding this district.
.
NEW EDWARDS AVENUE 'SHOPPING DISTRICT' SOUGHT TOO
Owners of the residentially-zoned lot at the northwest corner of the Edwards Avenue intersection are seeking rezoning to B-1, a local neighborhood shopping district.
Some permitted B-1 uses would include: limited retail (grocery and general merchandise), personal services (dry cleaner/laundry), restaurants if ok'd by the Board of Adjustments.
If approved, that could set a precedent for similar requests all along the highway to the north.
B-1 Local Shopping District: This district is intended to provide for limited retail convenience goods and
personal service establishments in residential neighborhoods and to encourage the concentration of these uses in
one (1) location for each residential neighborhood rather than in scattered sites occupied by individual shops
throughout a neighborhood. Restaurants in the B-1 zoning district may be permitted only on appeal to the
Board of Adjustments and may be subject to special conditions. Drive thru restaurants shall not be permitted in
the B-1 zoning district.
 |
| Edwards Avenue intersection |
BOTH EXCEPTIONS TO COMPREHENSIVE GROWTH PLAN
Beginning in about 2001, the city's 'village model' comprehensive growth plan keeps north Greeno as residential zoning, reflecting citizens' concerns that the city's main entrance road not be commercialized and turned into another 'Airport Blvd.' (like in Mobile) or 'Hamburger Hill.' (US 98 in north Daphne).
Numerous exceptions have been granted over the years however: commercial development has gradually crept northward (and southward) along the highway..
Comprehensive plans are required by state law, but are not binding in and of themselves: only gives guidance to the city's governing bodies.
Both sites are already being advertised for sale: the trailer park by the Fairhope Realty Group and the Edwards Avenue by White Spunner -- which is also advertising the previously-approved 'Hayek PUD.'
(One planning commissioner, Hollie MacKellar, is a former agent for the FRG, now with Jason Will.)
All deliberations of a quorum of the Planning Commission must be held in public, to conform with state open meeting law.
 |
| North Greeno Road |
 |
| Volanta Park at lower left |
Comments
Ain't the American political system great?
We should protect and enhance the walkable, quaint vibe of ALL parts of Fairhope, not just downtown. Will we retain our unique qualities? Or just sell out to the developers like everyone else?
Well said, thank you.
than the trashy trailer park ther now.
Relax it is not the end of the world!
Parks or nature trails along Greeno is a great idea. It could be a buffer with residential behind it. And it would align with the Comprehensive Plan.
Here you go Mr. Murphy. A comprehensive plan is not written in stone.